Close-up magic

Magic performed within arm’s reach, with cards, coins and borrowed objects, for groups of 2–12.

How it works in practice

A close-up magician approaches a group, asks permission with a line or a quick effect, and performs for five to eight minutes using cards, coins, rings and objects borrowed from the guests. Then they leave while the group is still talking about it. That exit is the skill. A good performer reads the room, skips groups deep in a business conversation and comes back later.

It works standing during a reception or at seated tables between courses. Table-hopping should stop when plates are coming out and start again after clearing; servers and magicians should not compete for the same guest. In a two-hour set, one performer typically reaches 15–25 groups.

In Ontario and the GTA

The typical GTA range for 2026 is $600–$1,500 for two hours of close-up magic. Rates move with experience, corporate polish, travel and date: December Fridays and Saturdays book up earliest. Many Toronto corporate clients ask for custom touches, such as a prediction revealing a product name or a card with the company logo, which usually need two to three weeks of lead time.

Questions to ask

• Can I see unedited video from a real event, not a studio reel?
• Who are two recent corporate or wedding clients I can call?
• How do you handle a group that does not want to be approached?
• Do you borrow items such as rings or phones, and how are they returned?
• Can you send a certificate of insurance naming the venue?
• Is there a version of the act for a seated dinner as well as a standing reception?

How to handle it

1. Decide the role: icebreaker at arrival, filler before dinner, or feature at the tables.
2. Place the set in the run of show with a start time, end time and a hard stop when dinner is served.
3. Brief the performer on hosts, VIPs and any guests to avoid.
4. Tell the banquet captain where the performer will be working.
5. Arrange a place for coats and cases, ideally the green room.

Related tools

The entertainment finder lists GTA magicians; listings owned by the site founder carry a visible disclosure and get no ranking preference. For how many performers to book, see strolling act; for a stage version, see stage illusion.